THE ABSENT

CRIPPLED HEARTS

SOLIDARITY WITH THE FLESH EATING MOSAIC AND OTHER POEMS by Raj Dronamraju

Out Now

THE RETURN OF THE MAGNIFICENT NINNY AND OTHER POEMS by Raj Dronamraju

My first book of poetry available through Amazon and other online booksellers www.rajbooks.com

Friday, May 18, 2012

THE TOKEN GESTURE AND THE RE-ELECTION OF PRESIDENT OBAMA

Recently
saw part of a stand-up routine by the deceased comedian Patrice O’Neal.In it he said something along the lines of
White America gave President Obama a chance, no they really did, they gave him
two years.Of course, that’s sarcastic
and meant to say they really didn’t give him a chance at all.

As
anyone who has read my blog here and my now full poetry blog before it became
that www.xanga.com/rgdinmalaysia since 2008
can attest to, I’ve gone full circle with the president from enthusiastic
supporter to doubtful and on the fence to ex-supporter.My criticism of Obama has been from the left –
his neocon foreign policy and his kowtowing to big business.I still feel his approach to getting
legislature passed is incompetent although he has improved slightly in this
area.

However,
in the minds of the public at large, when all is said done and all the other subjects have
been addressed – The war on women, the killing of Bin Laden, gay marriage and
all the personal attacks, ( As I am writing this it seems like we are about to
have another round of birtherism), it’s the economy that matters and the
unemployment rate is still high in much of the country.

But
there might be something else there too.Something that would be a catch-all for all the negative mythology directed
at Obama – he’s not an American citizen, he’s a Muslim , a communist.All of this is bullshit and I think most
Americans know it.However, in their
hearts, Obama does not deserve a second term.

Why? Well
I think it might be kind of a mix of concerns about the economy, some residual
or even unknowing racism, as well as the subconscious absorption of some of the
negative stories about him.

American
can feel good about themselves.Whether
or not Obama is re-elected , a black man or half-black man has been president.
It’s something they can point to if anyone ever challenges America on racial
grounds (and believe you me America is still very racist).

They made
the token gesture.They supported a
non-white candidate once for a brief period. This assuages any guilt they feel from history
Now is it back to their comfort zone?

Personally,
I wouldn’t mind if Obama lost.His
record on foreign policy alone should deny him a second term but Romney would
be worse and thus is the trick, the shell game of the two party system maintained.

Anyway,
I still stand by my original prediction.Obama
will win a second term but the election will be much closer than 2008.